Articles
Gardening Articles
Research-based horticulture information to help keep your plants and gardens thriving.
Hibiscus acetosella
When most people hear the word hibiscus, they envision a gaudy tropical flower. But not all Hibiscus species are that splashy, and one is grown primarily for its fantastic foliage. The purple-leaved H. acetoscella is easily grown from seed or cuttings as an annual to supply beautiful palmate leaves reminiscent of a Japanese maple. Learn more about this interesting tender perennial in this article…
Early Gems in the Rock Garden
My rock garden is where the first perennials, other than bulbs, bloom in my yard. Read about a few of my favorites that are the first to flower each spring. Several of these don’t need to be restricted to gravelly soils and would be a good addition to a small scale border where they can be appreciated up close. See these cute plants on display in this article…
Lemongrass, Cymbopogon spp.
For a light lemony flavor, nothing beats an infusion of lemongrass. This tropical grass can be grown in Wisconsin as an annual. To learn more about this sweet-smelling tender perennial , read this article…
Lychnis ×arkwrightii 'Vesuvius'
If you’re looking for a plant with purplish leaves in the spring and bright orange flowers, look no further Lychnis ×arkwrightii ‘Vesuvius’. This plant related to rose campion commands attention when it’s in bloom for a few weeks in early- to mid-summer. If you want to know more about this rarely-used perennial, read this article…
Swiss-Cheese Plant, Monstera deliciosa
It’s a tropical plant native to rainforests of Central America that is often grown as a foliage houseplant. With big holes in its leaves, it’s aptly called Swiss cheese plant, but is more commonly known as split-leaf philodendron. Did you know it also has edible fruits? Learn more about Monstera deliciosa in this article…
Heirloom Vegetables
Heirloom vegetables are popular these days, but do you know what this term means and what varieties really are heirlooms? You can read more about this topic in this article…
Calendula, Calendula officinalis
Did you know that “pot marigold” or calendula is considered an herb? This pretty flower is edible and can be used to color and flavor foods, as well as being used as a medicinal herb. To learn more about this interesting plant, read this article…
Bleeding Heart Vine, Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Picture a plant from tropical west Africa that has clusters of inflated white flowers with a red “bleeding heart” emerging from the center. Maybe you’d like to try growing this twining evergreen shrub indoors if you have plenty of light. You can learn more about exotic Clerodendrum thomsoniae in this article…
Tachinid Flies
Think that buzzing hairy fly is just another pesky housefly? Check again, because there are lots of beneficial flies that resemble large houseflies, but you want to keep them around, working at pest control for you. Learn more about tachinid flies in this article…
Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium
Native prairie grasses are well adapted to our region and can be a nice addition to the manicured garden as well as in natural settings. Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is one with nice blue summer foliage and reddish fall color. Read more about this pretty grass in this article…
Allium senescens ssp. glaucum
Asters, mums and pansies are the standard flowers for fall. But there are other perennials that are just getting going in the fall, too. The late-flowering Allium senescens var. glaucum offers purple-pink flowers at this time of year, and a fun display of swirled blue-green foliage the rest of the growing season. Read more about this ornamental onion in this article…
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Brassica oleracea
It might feel too warm right now to think about fall decorations, but now is the time to plan for colorful displays this autumn if you want to use cabbage in the mix – or at least the ornamental version of this crop. To learn more about colorful ornamental kale and cabbage, read this article…
